Today in Pictures - Wednesday, October 23

Museveni, Putin hold talks

President Yoweri Museveni and President Vladimir Putin held bilateral talks at the sidelines of the Russia-Africa Summit at the Sirius Park of Science and Art in Sochi, one of Russia's largest convention venues.

The summit follows similar meetings between African countries and other developed countries including Turkey, China, India and more recently Japan.

The delegations from Uganda and Russia meeting on the sidelines of the summit in Sochi. PPU Photo

President Museveni (centre) with President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe (left) and President Salva Kiir of South Sudan during the opening ceremony of the summit. PPU Photo

Makerere students strike

Over 30 students were arrested as the Army and Police on Wednesday foiled a strike by Makerere University students who were protesting a 15% tuition increment.

The strike at the main campus in Kampala commenced at Mitchell Hall and an hour later spread to many parts of the university and private halls of residence.

Following the brief strike, the Police deployed heavily at the university and also at students' halls of residences.

An unexploded teargas canister that was fired by Police to quell the strike. Photo by Karim Ssozi

Students run for cover after Police fire teargas. Photo by Karim Ssozi

Several barricades like this one in Kikoni were erected by the students in roads in and around the university. Photo by Karim Ssozi

Students help Military Police clear debris from a road. Photo by Karim Ssozi

Police leads away a female student from Mary Stuart Hall who was taking part in the protest. Photo by Karim Ssozi

Colleagues evacuate a female student who collapsed from inhaling tear gas. Photo by Karim Ssozi

A journalist suffers from the effects of tear gas. Photo by Karim Ssozi

Police tussles with a student who resisted arrest claiming he was not part of the protests. Photo by Karim Ssozi

The student was eventually overpowered and taken away in a Police pickup truck. Photo by Karim Ssozi

A woman shields her son from Police who attempted to arrest him from a restaurant in Kikoni. Photo by Karim Ssozi

A journalist tries to capture the action from a lateral position. Photo by Karim Ssozi

Property worth billions of shillings was destroyed in a fire that gutted Ruwero Island in Buvuma district. 

 

Over 1000 people were left homeless by the blaze that is suspected to have started from one of the petrol stores which had over 5000 litres. Over 110 engines, 60,000 fishing nets, 55 boats, 30 shops and cash estimated to be over sh2bn, were all left in ashes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A fisherman rests under a tree after his house was razed in the fire. Photo by Henry Nsubuga

 

Population report launched

The National Population Council on Wednesday launched the State of Uganda Population Report 2019 at Kampala Sheraton Hotel.

At the same function, journalists were awarded for their efforts in reporting on population-related matters.

The state minister for finance, David Bahati (2nd left) launches the State of Uganda Population Report 2019. Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba

 

 

(L-R) New Vision journalists Christopher Bendana, Carol Natukunda and Ronald Mugabe were some of the winners of the Population Awards 2019. Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba

 

Carol Natukunda (centre) receives a dummy cheque from minister David Bahati (left) after she was declared the overall winner of the Population Media Awards 2019. Right is the UNFPA country representative Alain Sibenaler. Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba

 

 

Police operation in Mbarara

 

The Police in Mbarara town carried out an operation targeting criminals in the area following a recent spate of crime where a university student was killed and several break-ins.

 

Some of the suspects who were arrested in the joint operation mounted on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Photo by Adolf Ayoreka

 

 

Some of the items that were recovered from some of the suspects' houses. Photo by Adolf Ayoreka

 

Stella Uwimana and Shadia Shuti Uwimana who are accused of breaking into students' residences on behalf of criminal gangs. Photo by Adolf Ayoreka

Health centres receive funds

32 health centres in the districts of Omoro, Gulu, Amuru and Nwoya are to receive sh36b.

US Ambassador to Uganda Deborah Malac the takes part in a local dance during the launch in Nwoya district. Photo by Arnest Tumwesige

 

Jacob Oulanyah (left) joined by health minister Jane Ruth Aceng, Ambassador Malac and health workers to plant a tree. Photo by Arnest Tumwesige